My Eyes (2024)

[bunniefuu]

How about

that Korean barbecue place

off Swanston Street?

Your favourite.

You mean, your favourite.

Sure, we can go wild

on Wagyu beef.

Only because

you know I love my meat.

Ah, OK.

Look, I gotta go.

We're at Mum's, OK?

OK. Love you, peanut.

-Love you, Dad.

-Say hi to Wai-Poh.

Bye!

OK, so remember to set

the alarm on your watch

for table tennis. Yeah?

You know Wai-Poh

can be a bit forgetful,

and then I'll finish work early,

and I'll help you

with your maths.

But can we go to the park first?

Please?

OK.

Let's go.

I really need to win

my money back.

Like I am going

to let you?

Game four, take two.

Is that your..

Wai-Poh, time to go.

Ping-pong, I know,

I haven't forgotten.

You're corrupting

your granddaughter.

Does her mother knows that she's

learning mahjong from us?

Yes, she's learning

from the experts.

Issy, you can always hang out

with us all the time.

-Sik wu.

-Pong!

Ai-yo!

How could that happen?

Well, ladies, you snooze,

you lose.

I tried to warn you.

Pay up.

So, which side

is clearer and more distinct?

The circles on the red

or the circles on the green?

Red. No, no. Green.

Green? And how about now?

-About the same.

-Same. Good. You're doing well.

And now, is it better one

or better two?

One.

Yeah, that's good, Luke.

Excellent.

You can have a go now.

Ow!

Are you alright, Issy?

Yeah. I'm fine.

Issy, let me look.

Are you OK?

Wai-Poh, stop!

You're embarrassing me.

Don't be silly. Let me see.

It's fine! Let me play.

I'm calling your mother.

Oh, look at your

beautiful family.

Oh, thank you.

That was my daughter's

birthday party in March.

And this one?

Oh, that was a Para-Judo

tournament.

I was a volunteer.

Haven't done any of that

in ages.

Not since I started a family.

Sorry. Just hold on two secs.

It's my mum.

I've got to grab it.

I'll get our dispenser

to help you with some frames.

-Thank you.

-Yep, great. Thanks.

Hey, Mum.

Oh, what?

Issy, please, just...

Mum, I'm fine.

I'm sure you are.

Come on. Just look here.

I know it's bright, darling.

Nearly done.

OK. Just try again, OK.

Looking here again.

Can you just take Issy out

just for a few minutes?

I've just got to make

a few phone calls.

Come on, let's go.

Sorry. I'm so sorry.

Excuse me.

Hey, there.

Hey. Sorry to interrupt,

but Issy just had

an accident at table tennis.

A ball went into her eye.

Oh, what? How bad is it?

Oh, hopefully, it's going

to be OK.

But, yeah. Look, I still want

to book her in

to see an ophthalmologist,

for sure.

OK. Um...

Well, I'll finish up here

and I'll see you at home

shortly.

Love you.

That's a nice colour.

Mm-hm. It's my favourite.

Hey, peanut. You alright?

Yeah, I'm alright.

Let me see.

Oh...

We're all making too much

of a fuss about nothing.

We're not making a fuss

about it.

It's not nothing, Issy.

We're going to take you to the

eye specialist on Tuesday, OK?

Your mum's right.

Your eyesight is important.

In fact, that's how your mum

and I met.

What do you mean?

Well, she was doing her masters,

and I volunteered to be

a patient at the school.

I was one of her guinea pigs.

Ooh. Was it romantic?

Of course.

How was it for you, dear?

Well, you can see

how it all turned out.

Ooh!

My special guinea pig!

Guinea pig wants some fun.

No fun tonight!

Good night, guinea pig.

Alright. Let's see.

No fun, huh?

No to fun?

That sounds sexy now.

You only have one.

No.

You only have one child!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I'm thinking,

that you're aware of.

Are you hearing this, Mum?

Sorry, what?

Don't you have a twin?

No!

-Then who is...

-I was just thinking maybe...

Who was the other...

Who was the good child?

The one that, you know...

No, the really... The one...

The one that works

really hard at...

Oh, where did that one go?

Can't remember.

No, just joking.

You're the bestest.

The bestest?

Dr Nelson,

phone call on line three.

Hi. Would you mind signing

this for me, please?

It's so we can take

a blood sample.

OK, I'll see

if I can get that.

Thanks. Bye.

Caulfield Eye Clinic.

How can I help you?

Off we go, young lady.

Of course.

The first available is...

Which one of you would like

to come with us?

Could you?

I'm just not feeling

too crash hot at the moment.

OK, sure,

and your name, please?

Sure.

Come on.

And don't forget

to bring your Medicare card.

OK, thanks.

Fortunately, there were

no serious effects from the

impact of the ping pong ball.

However, I did notice

that Isabella has a tendency

to move her head

more than her eyes

when following things.

Isn't that sort of normal?

Yes. Well, it depends

on a number of factors,

and it can be absolutely normal.

Or in some cases,

it might be symptomatic,

as it was

in your daughter's case.

Um, symptomatic of what?

Tunnel vision...

as a result of a fairly rare

genetic disorder

called Retinitis Pigmentosa.

How are we going to tell Issy

that she has an untreatable

eye condition,

and she could be legally blind

within 12 months?

Well, according to Dr Rossi,

it's not untreatable.

Stem cell therapy?

Right. You know about that?

Yeah, but all I know

is that it's in clinical trials,

so it's unproven

and experimental.

But, Sam, I think

it's worth a try.

We've just got to move fast.

I'll talk

to Dr Rossi again...

see if we can get

more information...

No, definitely. Definitely.

I mean, it's...

-Bye, Dad.

-See you later.

Bye!

I did notice

that Isabella has a tendency

to move her head more than

her eyes when following things.

What's going on?

Tell me what's going on.

It's about the doctors

and the tests, isn't it?

-I'm not stupid!

-Issy.

You can't talk to your mum

like that.

I know you're upset.

Issy, what you have...

It's called

Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Most people call it RP.

And what happens

is that your vision,

it goes from seeing out here...

to seeing just only

a little bit in the centre.

Am I going blind?

Not if we can help it.

We're going to do everything

we can

so you can see

as much as you can

for as long as you can.

Alana.

Alana. Enough.

No, I just need to...

You're not going

to solve it tonight.

Maybe not even tomorrow.

But we're in this together.

I should have picked

it up earlier.

Stop!

It is not your fault.

It is not anyone's fault.

We just take it step by step.

Dr Rossi said that the best stem

cell donors are a family member.

So, we do the blood tests

tomorrow

and see which one of us that is,

and we take it from there.

Dad...

You always told me to keep

my chin up...

never to cry.

What's going on with you?

Are you unwell?

It is something to do with Issy?

But it's not what you think.

It's about Issy.

And it's about me too.

You know the one thing

about Dad?

He didn't judge me.

Can you be like that for me now?

Tell me, what have you done?

I won't judge you.

I promise.

You need to tell him

as soon as possible.

I know. I've been trying

to find a way, but...

each time I get close,

I just freeze

and nothing comes out.

You are thinking too much.

Sam is a reasonable man.

Of course, he will get angry

at the beginning.

Anybody would.

But he will see that you didn't

mean for it to happen.

You were not trying

to deceive him.

He loves you and Issy.

He would not risk losing you.

Trust me.

Be brave, Alana.

Tell him.

That's the right thing to do.

No, we're just a little bit

under the pump.

The paperwork should be ready

in the next few days.

Yep.

Uh, Jake, I got to run.

Can I call you back?

Hey.

What a pleasant surprise.

Everything OK?

Can we talk?

Now? Uh...

Yeah, sure. I've got 30 minutes

till my next client.

How was your blood test?

Fine. Yeah, they should know

the results

in the next few days.

Right.

I really need to talk

to you now.

I know the results, Sam.

You won't be

a prospective donor.

You're not the carrier

of the gene we need.

Well, then that leaves you.

I'm not a good match either.

Well, there's got to be someone.

That's true.

Someone is.

Yes?

The test results will show

there are some other

genetic indicators.

Jesus. What?

What I'm trying to say

is that your blood type

doesn't fit with Issy's.

I'm sorry. What are you saying?

You're not Issy's biological

father.

Sam, I...

I am so sorry, Sam.

I swear, I didn't know it

myself.

It was just a one-night thing.

It was before us.

Please, just let me explain.

You need to leave. Get out!

You need to leave!

Sam, I...

Hi. This is Sam.

Please leave a message.

Sam, can we please talk?

Can you keep it coming?

Hey!

Take your towel off. You need to

let your hair dry. It's late.

I will.

Here's your sport shirt.

Put it by your bag

so you don't forget, OK?

OK.

Where's Dad?

He got stuck at work.

Go brush your teeth.

Go to bed. I'll tuck you in.

-OK, night-night.

-Night.

Sam, thank god you're home.

I don't know why I even came

back here.

You've made us live a lie

for the past 12 years.

Were you ever going to tell me

that I'm not actually the father

of my daughter?

Sam, I only found out when...

Look, I met the guy

before we got together.

He was a Mexican Para-Judo

champion with RP.

It was a one-off.

He was here for

the Paralympic Games.

But I always thought

she was yours.

He...

Now I know.

So, this...

This guy doesn't know

about Issy either?

No.

Yeah, I don't know

what to believe anymore.

It was nothing, OK?

Just stop! Sam!

I'm going downstairs to sleep.

You need to pull my hair

a bit tighter, Mum.

Don't want it to go all loose

by lunch like last time.

Yeah, I'm trying my best.

Geez...

Ow, that's just too tight.

I'm sorry. I'm trying, OK?

OK, OK, I...

I give up.

Maybe Dad should have a go.

Sure.

Sam.

Sorry. Yeah.

Issy wants you to do her hair.

You did a really good job

last time.

Everyone loved it.

But no pressure.

Pass me your brush.

...is still getting through.

The eastbound lanes

are also suffering...

The Calder is flowing

reasonably well...

...and the South Eastern's slow

but the traffic is still moving

at a reasonable pace.

For those coming in

from the west, unfortunately...

Can we sit over there?

Yeah, sure.

No, I'm not hungry.

It's not like you to pass

on a caramel slice.

Are you OK?

I just didn't get any sleep

last night.

I know you're worried

about Issy.

It's a shock right now.

But you and Sam

will sort this out.

Issy is strong.

Yeah, god, I just... I feel...

so bad.

You know about RP,

but they're progressing

in scientific treatments

every day.

Do you remember

when I was at uni...

and...

I met that Mexican guy?

The Paralympic judo one?

You said he was nice.

Yeah.

Didn't he have

some kind of blindness?

Alana.

Did he have RP?

Are you telling me what I think

you're telling me?

Does Sam know?

I had to tell him.

God, he was so angry.

I feel so terrible.

I really didn't know.

I always thought Issy was his,

I did.

I think I'm going to lose him.

I can't, I can't.

I am so sorry, Alana.

Can you talk to Sam?

I tried, I tried.

I was just so focused

on finding a donor.

Well, what about the judo guy?

What?

He's probably her best chance.

No, no.

I couldn't do that to Sam.

Alana, you and Sam both love her

and want what's best

for her future.

I know.

The way I see it,

you don't have a choice.

If it was me, I'd go find him.

Oh...

Sam and I found a donor

and he actually has RP.

A close relative?

Yes.

A very close relative?

Yes. Very close.

Is there anything more

you need to know?

No.

That's a good start.

The problem is that he's

probably in Mexico.

Probably?

Well, I'd have to double check,

but I think he is.

Can we do the stem cell

extraction from over there?

Oh, no, that would not be

a good idea.

The samples wouldn't even

survive the journey.

What we need is for the donor

and the recipient

to be at the same place

at similar times,

and we prefer that to be here

rather than Mexico.

Is the donor willing to travel?

I hope so.

You know, there's no guarantee

that the treatment will take

and if it does, just how

effective it will be.

But it won't make her any worse?

That's correct.

OK.

Sam, this isn't about us.

-It's about Issy.

-Issy. I know.

Her future depends on someone

who doesn't even know

she exists.

I don't even know

if he'll remember me.

We need to find him.

I'll see what I can dig up

about him.

I don't want to waste any time.

Well, hopefully you'll be able

to find an email address

or a phone number

of where he works.

Everyone's online these days.

It shouldn't be too hard.

I can't just email him, Sam.

If we find him, I have

to tell him in person.

You can't ring him or Zoom?

Breaking it to him in person

is the least I can do.

Besides this whole stem cell

thing, it's not that simple.

Even if he's a match, the cells

won't survive the trip back.

We're going to need him

to come to Melbourne.

Really?

He has to come here?

The cells can't be frozen

or something?

No, it's too risky.

Jesus, I'll have to meet him.

Sam, this is Issy's only chance.

Fine.

But I don't want this man

being part of our lives.

Particularly Issy.

I don't want her to know

about this. Ever.

That she has a different father?

Yes.

Why does she need to know?

I'm afraid that this could

change everything between us.

It doesn't have to.

She mustn't know!

If we find him and convince him

to come here,

he might want to meet Issy.

We need him, Sam.

Sorry! I'm late!

Your mum and dad are super busy

with work today.

So, you're stuck with me.

Are we heading to yours,

Wai-Poh?

Yeah, we will grab some snacks

and tissues on the way.

My favourite soap

is on this afternoon.

The one with the sad story?

They're all sad, Issy.

True. Can I get some

panda biscuits?

Yes, of course.

But promise,

don't tell your mum.

OK.

Strawberry?

Chocolate?

Which would you like?

Chocolate.

We have to tell her.

I don't know when.

I don't know how.

I don't have a clue.

We need to tell her

before I go.

So, she understands why

I'm going to find a donor

for the operation.

We don't have to tell her

who it is.

OK.

This is a lot for an 11-year-old

girl to process

and on top of that,

she's got the stress

of an operation to go through.

Can't we wait till that's over?

None of this is easy, OK?

I need your support.

I really do.

Hello!

All good.

You're tall enough

to do that now.

-Ow!

-Oh, you OK?

Stupid eyes! I hate them!

Hey, you've got beautiful eyes.

Don't let anyone tell you

otherwise, OK?

Me and Daddy, we're trying

to find a solution.

There's a procedure

that might help.

What kind of procedure?

That sounds scary.

No, it's not scary, darling.

I promise.

Me and Daddy,

and Wai-Poh too...

We're going to be with you

every step of the way, OK?

There's a place you can get

some training.

You can learn

the best way to see

and they teach you how to use

all your other senses...

and if me and Daddy

are working,

Wai-Poh can take you.

It'll be fun.

Will there be other kids there?

Kids like me?

I don't know. Maybe. But...

you're a brave girl.

You're going to be just fine.

I promise.

Everything's more

closed down than usual.

The glasses show you

what things could be like

as your RP progresses.

So...

let's get started.

Imagine you're travelling

on this train.

Mm-hm.

Maybe you're going into the city

to do some shopping.

Or maybe you're visiting

the museum.

You've both come to your stop

and you need to get off.

What would you do next?

Right, Issy, let's go.

We need to move to the door.

This is our stop.

Why don't you lead, Issy?

It's OK.

Look out for things when moving

through the train.

Use your hands if you have to.

Look for the button, Issy,

and press it to open the doors.

Found it.

Good job.

Now...

step off the carriage

to the platform.

Watch out for the gap between

the train and the platform.

Is today a special day, Wai-Poh?

Why do you pray to them?

Talking to your grandfather,

my father,

your Tai-Gong.

Asking for advice, for help.

It doesn't have to be

a special day for me to do this.

But they're not actually

here, here.

I cannot see them.

You cannot see them.

But they are still here.

Gong-Gong, Tai-Gong,

can you please help

with my eyes?

Yes, they will.

We all will, Issy.

No matter where we are.

So, your Mum

has to go here.

She wants to find someone

who might be able to help

with your eyes.

But I like Dr Rossi.

Well, the person I'm trying

to find isn't a doctor,

but he has a same eye condition

as you,

so might be able to help.

In Mexico?

Yeah.

But that's halfway round

the world.

How long are you going for?

What if something happens?

Issy, I'll always be with you,

even when you can't see me.

Like Gong-Gong and Tai-Gong?

'Cause you're in my heart?

Except that I'll be coming back

to you as quickly as I can.

Will you bring me back

a present?

Best one I can find.

Hello.

Looking for this man,

Nico Robles?

Is he here?

He's not

coming here today.

But there is another school

where he teaches.

There's a chance he's there.

Here, walking...

Fifteen minutes.

-Thanks.

-Good luck.

Hey! How's Issy?

Have you told her

about Nico yet?

Miss you.

Now, let me know

when you step onto

something different.

-Here?

-Yes.

What you're standing on

are called tactiles.

They're designed to help people

with low vision

know when a street crossing

is ahead.

OK, Dad, we stop here.

Right.

Now, Issy, feel

for the button and press it.

Listen to the sound.

What does that mean?

Go.

Good.

Come on, Dad, let's cross.

Great work.

Well done, Is.

-Thanks.

-Good job, Issy.

How do you think you went

on your second go?

I was definitely

listening out more

and sensing my surroundings

a lot better.

Hey, why don't we stop and...

get some ice cream?

Seriously?

Yeah.

Dad?

Yes, peanut.

You don't like ice cream,

and you don't like me eating

ice cream,

except on special days.

Is today a special day?

I thought you deserved a treat.

I thought we could maybe just...

sit and talk.

Or maybe...

You know...

We can talk about whatever

or not at all.

Let's just eat ice cream?

Sounds good to me.

How is it?

It's not bad.

Mine's pretty good too.

Ooh.

Not too spicy for you, Sam?

Nope.

I like spice.

Good.

Why didn't you go with her?

I don't know

how to process this.

With her gone, I can't...

work, I can't sleep,

I can't...

It's as if my world's been...

turned upside down

and no one's bothered

to tell me.

She might feel the same.

Well, maybe I should...

get on a plane and go.

I think you should.

Hello. Hello.

Hello.

Looking for this man,

Nico Robles?

Ah-ha.

-Is he here?

-Ah, yes. Nico.

-Do you speak English?

-Uh-huh.

Um, yes,

he teaches here,

but, uh, he's out of town

at a tournament

with his students.

Uh, but he'll be back

in a couple of days though.

OK.

Um...

Look, he's got class.

He's there in the afternoon.

You can come back

then if you like.

OK.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hi.

Oh, hi.

Sorry, I didn't mean

to startle you.

My name is Nico.

Um, I'm Alana.

I'm your volunteer.

I've been assigned to help you

and your team.

Oh, right.

Retinitis Pigmentosa.

It's hereti...

-Hereti...

-Hereditary?

Yeah.

My grandmother had it,

but I can see enough.

Can I have the room in the back?

Yes, you can.

Oh, Issy. Shoes!

Sam...

I don't care what the tests say.

You are her father.

You're all she's ever known.

Just get that man to say yes.

Not too much.

Just half of a tablespoon

will do.

Half a tablespoon

with a little bit more.

-Yeah.

-And a little bit more.

New photo?

Yeah, I found it in my drawer

the other day.

Thought I would frame it.

Is this you?

Yeah.

When I was 16.

You look like Tai-Gong.

That's what people used to say.

He was the tailor, you know?

He taught me how to sew.

Issy.

How far out can you see?

Um...

Like, to here, then... Here.

OK. Hold it.

Yep.

Here and here.

Right?

Mm-hm.

-I'll put this back.

-Yeah.

What?

I can't believe you're here.

How's Issy? Is she OK?

Yeah. She's fine.

She's with your mum.

I had to come.

Alana, I needed to tell you,

you and Issy

mean everything to me.

Without you both, I won't cope.

I want you to know that.

Hi, Mum. Hi, Dad.

You're together.

Yes, we are, sweetie.

How are things?

We're all good.

Wai-Poh lets me stay up late

and eat lots of chocolate.

You weren't supposed

to tell them that!

Just make sure you brush

those teeth of yours.

I will. Promise.

We've got to go now, sweetie,

but, um, we'll call you

tomorrow, OK?

OK. Bye.

-Love you, peanut.

-Bye. I love you.

Did you find him?

He's away in a tournament.

But when he returns,

you should...

You should meet him.

But please, just...

Let me tell him about Issy

on my own.

OK?

Fair enough.

I thought I was going

to lose you.

And Issy.

And everything that we built

together.

Neither of us saw this coming.

I thought you'd just leave.

I don't care about genetics.

Neither do I.

You're her dad.

I'm her mum.

We're a family.

There are three suits

in total.

Dots, bamboo and characters.

Each suit has four sets

and each set has nine tiles,

numbered one to nine.

There are also four winds.

North, south, east and west.

Unless you are the dealer,

you can have 13 tiles per hand

at any one time.

You need to play a long game

and be patient.

It's cool that I can feel

to play, right?

Mm-hm. You can, Issy.

Your instincts will get stronger

with practice.

Uh, hello.

-Hello. Oh, hi.

-Hi.

I was here the other day

and spoke to you about Nico.

Nico, yes.

He's upstairs at the dojo.

OK. Thank you.

Hi, Nico.

Alana?

What are you doing here?

Can we talk?

There's a new stem cell

procedure.

It offers some hope.

It may help her keep the vision

she has.

The donor needs to be

a genetic match.

But...

You have to come to Melbourne.

I know, I know,

it's a lot to ask.

Will you do it?

She looks like me.

She does.

She's beautiful.

Are you married?

Yes, I am.

Children?

Nope.

We talk about it.

But it wasn't meant to be.

And now, you tell me

we have a daughter.

What are you going to tell

your wife?

The truth.

I'm going to tell her the truth.

Exactly as you have told me.

And Frida came back.

She had plantar

fasciitis again.

And then it had to be

shock therapy,

because if not, it's not

going to come out. Never.

That hurts a lot.

My love...

I have never lied to you.

And that there are no secrets

between us.

What I'm going to tell you...

I didn't know it either.

Until a few hours ago.

I have a daughter in Australia.

She is eleven years old.

I had no idea of her existence

until today.

The mother realised that I...

I am the father.

Because she was diagnosed with

the same eye disease as me.

And this woman came to the dojo

today with her husband.

That story sounds

completely made-up.

It's surely a scam, right?

It's the truth.

Nico,

We can't have children.

I suffered inside for years.

And now you come out with the

fact that you have a daughter

with a stranger?

It was an accident.

It was a long time ago.

I would never do anything

to hurt you.

I know this hurts you.

What do they want?

There is an operation

that can help the girl.

But they need stem cells,

and I would have to

go to Australia.

What did you tell them?

I said nothing.

I wanted to talk to you first.

You feel something for her?

I don't feel anything

for this woman.

She may be the mother

of my daughter,

but she is not my wife.

I don't even know how I feel

about this girl,

I have a lot to process.

How many hours

to get to Australia?

About twenty-four hours.

If you don't want me to go,

I won't go, period.

It's that simple.

If you're wondering

who is my priority in this life,

my answer is you.

I want to meet them.

I want to meet her.

Hey...

Thanks for coming over.

Good morning.

A table in the name of Alana?

On this side.

Alana?

Alana. Yes.

Dani.

How are you?

Good.

Sam.

Thank you for coming, Dani.

Please have a seat.

Would you like a coffee?

Yes. Cafe Latte.

Uh, Tres. Three.

One moment.

How are you?

Fine.

Thank you.

Will Nico be joining us?

Uh, he has classes today.

He can't make it.

Can I see a photo

of your daughter?

Isabella.

Nico tried to explain

this procedure,

but I have some questions.

Will he be in danger?

No. The procedure

is completely safe.

We would not want to risk Nico

or Issy's sight.

You have our word.

I won't lie, this is quite

the surprise.

But I wanted to see you both,

and look you in the eye.

I would have done the same.

I will discuss this further

with Nico.

At the end of the day,

it's his decision to make,

but he needs more time

to think about it.

I'm sure you understand.

And I'll support his decision

either way.

What if he says no?

Nico.

She's not here.

Look, I...

I understand the shock

of all this, believe me,

and we can't change

what's happened.

But we can do something

for Issy.

Will you please...

help my daughter?

Our daughter.

Look, I don't care who made her.

I'm her father.

I want to meet her.

We can't tell her that you're

her biological dad.

Dealing with RP is enough

for her right now.

I can let you call yourself

a donor.

I don't think you can let me

do anything.

Isabella should know.

When the time is right

and now is not the time.

Please.

Do the procedure.

For Issy.

Thank you.

Are you sure

this is what you want?

You don't have to do it,

you know?

I know.

But it's the right thing to do.

This is your home.

I love you.

It's the... five bamboo.

Turn it over and have a look.

Discard this.

That's good one, Issy.

Let me try another.

I don't know this one.

That's 'fa' or prosperity.

Does it match any of your tiles?

Hmm...

I'm not sure.

Then discard it.

Good girl.

Remember, you can always change

the hand you're dealt

or turn any hand into a win.

Will you tell her about me?

Eventually.

Let's just get through

this first.

Thanks again for coming, Nico.

I'm happy to help.

I get to see my Australian coach

again.

How was your flight?

Long.

Thanks for taking care of Issy.

No problem at all.

She's outside.

Iss...

Dad, you're back!

You're bigger.

Where's Mum?

She is, um, dropping

someone off,

but we'll see her at home.

Did you remember my present?

It's in Mum's bag.

No!

Iss...

-Yeah.

-I need to tell you something.

You keep saying that.

Just tell me the something.

Is it a good something

or a bad something?

It's not a good

or a bad something.

It's a matter of fact something,

I suppose.

I know they...

they told you how babies

are made at school.

Is that right?

Ew, and yes.

There's a sperm and an egg.

Gross.

So, the sperm that helped

to make you...

It came from someone else.

What do you mean, someone else?

I mean, not me.

Another man.

But you're my dad, right?

Of course.

Then why are you saying

all this stuff?

Dad, this conversation's

really weird.

I don't want another dad.

I just want things to go back

to the way they were.

I know, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You OK?

You know...

My father left us when my sister

and I were kids.

I was not older than you are.

You never spoke about this.

It was just as well

because our stepfather

was the kindest man

in the world.

Tai-Gong?

Yeah.

He loved us and brought us up

as his own.

We called him Dad.

He was our real father.

Your parents love you very much.

You must know this.

You are going to be just fine,

darling.

We're sorry.

The man you found in Mexico...

Is he my real dad?

Your biological dad.

Does that mean

I got my eyes from him?

Mm-hm.

Nico's done a lot.

Despite his eyes.

So will you.

Can I meet him?

That's not my decision to make.

Throw it.

Come on, come on, come on,

come on. Oh, yeah.

Watch your hands.

Push it.

Well done.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Come on, come on, throw it,

throw, throw, throw, throw it.

-Let's go over there.

-Mm-hm.

One more time.

Use your hands.

Come on, come on.

Look who's stronger now.

There's Nico.

And he can hardly see?

He can see a little bit.

One more time. You can do it.

How does he do

all this stuff then?

Why don't you ask him yourself?

Whoa! Good.

Nico?

Hi. I'm Issy.

Hi.

Just a minute.

Well, nice to meet you, Issy.

I'm so glad you came here

to see me.

- Hi.

- Hey hey.

Did you see me fight?

Yeah, I really liked it.

I thought you were really cool.

Thank you.

How do you do all that stuff

if you can't see properly?

Honestly, I don't know.

Maybe because I've been

doing this my full life.

Um, do you know?

You can do many things

when your eyes are closed.

If you practise and practise

and practise,

it becomes easier.

It's good to start young.

Do you think that judo

is hereti...

Hereti...

Do you mean if you

can inherit judo?

100%, yes.

Oh, let me show you something.

My wife, Dani.

She's pretty.

Can I take a picture of us?

To show my family.

Do you know Scissors,

Paper, Rock?

Yes.

-Ready?

-Yes.

Scissors,

paper, rock.

Hey.

So, how was your walk

with your bio dad?

He showed me pictures

of his wife and his judo medals.

He's awesome.

He's a judo champion.

This operation isn't going

to improve my eyes completely,

is it?

It could help you see

a bit clearer.

And it's the best the doctors

can do.

I don't know which is scarier.

Going blind or the operation.

I know.

But if there's a chance

it can help you

even just a little bit,

your mum and I think

it's worth a try.

And if it doesn't work?

Well, we would've

at least tried, right?

You know, you'll always be

my special girl.

Promise?

Promise.

I'm just going to flush

your cannula.

You're going to feel

a slight pressure.

It'll be quick.

Could you count to 20 for us,

Issy?

...two, three...

...four...

five...

Dr Nelson,

phone call on line three.

Do you believe in fate?

No.

Not particularly.

You don't believe

that we were destined?

Is that what you believe?

I believe we're meant

for each other.

Then I can go along with that.

Isabella's out of surgery.

Everything went smoothly.

We'll give it a few days.

See how things go.

She's got the best chance

we can give her.

And when will we know

when the...

when her condition

is stabilised?

It varies. Um, with stem cell

treatment,

the results can take

a few weeks.

Might take longer.

OK.

-Can we see her?

-Oh, of course. Yeah.

Um, she's in recovery.

She's still asleep, but you can

go and sit with her.

Yeah.

Come this way.

And Nico's OK?

Yeah, he's good.

She's pretty special, isn't she?

I know.

She's brave, inquisitive...

And funny...

and smart.

At least some of that's

because of us, you know?

You have both done a good job.

So far anyway.

Well, let's not mess it up now,

eh?

Deal?

Deal.

Oh...

How are your eyes, darling?

Bit sore, but OK.

It's still fuzzy round

the edges though.

Yes, that's not going

to go away,

but hopefully, it won't get

any worse.

How's Mr Nico?

Is he alright?

Let me go check.

Hey, Nico.

How you doing?

It hurts a little bit,

but it's OK.

How is Issy?

Come and see for yourself.

Hey, look who's here.

Hi, Issy.

How are you? How do you feel?

I'm alright.

Thank you so much.

My pleasure.

Now, I have to get ready

to fly home.

But I'll be back soon.

Can I give her a hug?

-Oh, of course, Nico.

-Sure.

Yeah.

See you soon?

I hope so.

Nico.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Now, start.

Remember, left, right.

Left, right.

One, two.

Well, yeah!

Try to find the moment.

One more time.

Watch your posture

and do it stronger.

One... Yes.

Left, right. Left, right.

Yes. Well done.

Oh, great! Yeah.

Papi Nico, next time,

you must bring Dani.

I want to show her my skills.

For sure.

She would love to come.

Maybe you can teach Dad.

Of course, why not? Yeah.

That would be amazing.

So, I can keep up with you, Iss.

Hey, Mum!

- Issy, don't run! Issy!

- Mum!

I learned a new trick today.

I can show you.